Europa League: Rubin Kazan defeat Inter Milan
Rubin Kazan defeated Inter Milan 3-0 at home to secure the top spot in Europa League Group H and an easier draw in the last 32.
Gokdeniz Karadeniz put Rubin ahead Thursday after just two minutes before Jose Salomon Rondon came off the bench to add two late goals and inflict a heavy defeat on an otherwise competent Inter side.
Both teams were already assured of a place in the knockout stages before the game, but Rubin now take first place, with Inter second.
Karadeniz's opener came in freakish circumstances when Inter defender Juan deflected an Alan Kasaev cross against his own post, and Karadeniz pounced to knock the loose ball into the net.
Panama striker Rondon scored twice in six minutes in the dying stages of the match to prevent an Inter comeback.
Rondon first struck on 86 minutes off a Bibras Natkho assists before Karadeniz played the Panamanian into an excellent position with a through ball before he sliced past Inter goalkeeper Vid Belec.
There was an early worry for Rubin coach Kurban Berdyev when midfielder Roman Eremenko went off injured on seven minutes with what appeared to be an ankle problem, and was replaced by Carlos Eduardo.
Inter put the hosts under an assault but failed to defeat goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov, who saved five Italian attempts, while substitute Rodrigo Palacio hit the woodwork late on in search of an equaliser.
Neftci Baku drew 1-1 with Partizan Belgrade in Thursday's other game in Group H.
Meanwhile Igor de Camargo's brace secured Monchengladbach's late win over a 10-man AEL Limassol whereas Hannover were held to a goalless draw by Dutch side Twente Enschede.
Cypriot side AEL Limassol needed a win to maintain their chances and they almost caught the host's defence flat footed Thursday as Luciano Bebe failed to control a pass with only goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen to beat, reports Xinhua.
Limassol looked more threatening from the start as Monchengladbach staged a poor passing and suffered several turnovers in the midfield.
With beginning of the second half the "Foals" picked up the pace to set the visitors defence under pressure. Thus, Juan Arango and Patrick Herrmann were able to create goal-scoring opportunities for the home side.
At the 75th minute Luciano Bebe weakened his side as he was sent off with a red card following a professional foul to Patrick Herrmann.
The "Foals" sniffed the chance to wrap up a victory as substitute Igor de Camargo, who came from the bench four minutes earlier, exploited a through ball by Havard Nordtveit to break the deadlock, with a shot inside the far post in the 79th minute.
De Camargo was not done with the scoring as he added a second goal to the scoreboards by header in the dying minutes of the match. The 2-0 victory secures Monchengladbach a place in the UEFA Europa League knockout stage.
The "Foals" occupy second position, behind Fenerbahce and followed by Marseille and Limassol.
"It’s not all good but we advanced and that was the main objective," Monchengladbach coach Lucien Favre said.
Elsewhere, Hannover shared points with Twente Enschede following a goalless draw at AWD Arena.
Twente's Rasmus Bengtsson ensured the only highlight of the match with his dismissal owing to a professional foul in the closing period of the match. Hannover, who had their tickets for the knockout stages, stay atop the standings in Group L followed by Levante, Twente and Helsingborgs.
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